Civil War or Christmas Cheer?

Did you know there is a coming Civil War in the United States? Well, I didn’t either until someone posted about it on Facebook. Well … not to be too incredulous, I decided to at least Google “coming civil war in America,” and sure enough, I got some results! From the League of the South. Never heard of the League of the South? That’s okay. They explain themselves very forthrightly on their website:

The League of the South is a Southern nationalist organization, headquartered in Killen, Alabama, whose ultimate goal is “a free and independent Southern republic.” The League defines the Southern United States as the states that make up the Confederate States of America.

Okay, now that you have an idea of what this organization is all about, what do they have to say about the coming civil war? Again they mince no words:

The coming civil war in America. With each passing day, we move closer to open conflict in America – civil war, if you will – between the forces of Western Civilization (which is founded on a biblical understanding of nationalism) and the forces of Judeo-Marxism or godless international leftism in general.

Gotta’ hand it to them on one count: They’re very clear and straightforward in their statements! If you’re like me, though, you might want a second opinion. So … I got one. This time from an article, penned back in January 2017, inThe Trumpet, an ostensibly Christian webzine focusing on current events and Bible prophecy, particularly “the end times,” or eschatology. The writer of the article, “America’s Coming Civil War,” Gerald Flurry, had this to say:

Protests occurred in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Miami and several other cities (following Trump’s election.) Dozens of people were arrested. Many journalists reported these as if they were spontaneous, but everything indicated that they were all organized and planned. Many of these protesters are professionals who are paid to stir up demonstrations! Many of them don’t even live in the cities where they march and riot… Bill O’Reilly asked, “Is a civil war brewing in the U.S.A.?”

That is an important question! Clearly there are many people who want a fight — a revolution — a race war! And they are going to get it — and a whole lot more…! Average Americans just want everything to calm down so they can get back to their lives and their pleasures and so forth. But the shocks for America aren’t going to go away. You can see that if you are watching what is happening with open eyes. But beyond that, you can be sure of it because of the prophecies in the Bible.

Alrighty, then … maybe a third opinion? Well, just for kicks, I looked at a number of other websites touting the idea (or prophecy) of Civil War, but I won’t bother to share any more of what I found because, quite frankly, it all began to sound like the same person(s) wrote basically the same article with just a few tweaks here and there. More importantly, though, I was reminded just today that not only should I not focus too intently on all the negatives, I should also be careful not to spread despondency, doom and gloom. So I choose to look on the brighter side of life ~ not through rose-colored glasses, mind you, but just, you might say, realistically with a definite bent toward the optimistic.

Besides, the same person who posted on Facebook about an impending Civil War, and his friends and compatriots, also talks frequently about an evil “New World Order,” the wicked United Nations, Communists, the unholy Freemasons, illegal immigrants infiltrating our country for the purpose of overthrowing the government, and of course Muslims, etc. etc. ad infinitum, ad nauseum. I could add a few to their list, such as: the Illuminati, the world banking system, the Federal Reserve, and China. In one sense, it might be kind of fun, but then, why add fuel to the fire?

All in all, it’s better to live life in peace with joy, as much as reasonably possible. Besides, it goes against almost every belief I hold dear, including that really most people living on this globe, while certainly not perfect, are nevertheless good folk. I am also a dreamer, who, with Christian moorings, looks toward an ever-brighter future for our world, and I believe that, despite all of the wars and hunger and poverty, overall progress has been made down through the centuries, and I hold fast to the hope-filled belief that we can and will still progress now and in the future.

Life is filled with obstacles, yet it is also filled with opportunities, and something tells me that we really couldn’t have all the opportunities we do without at least some of the obstacles. After all, obstacles present us with opportunities to overcome, do they not? And with all the advancements in technology, literally linking the peoples of the world together in (possible) daily communication, we might just find (as I believe we are) that we have more of a unified voice than ever we before allowed ourselves to imagine.

At least I know I have friends on both Facebook and in the Blogosphere from every corner of the earth, and you know what? We not only get along … we actually like each other, and encourage each other. And when one weeps, we all weep; when one rejoices, we all rejoice. And while this may sound to some overly simplistic and, perhaps, too starry-eyed, I would rather live this way than constantly looking over my shoulder, finding in every different face another prospective boogeyman, waiting on pins and needles for the next Civil War or Revolution, and cringing at the daily news.

No, I won’t blind myself to the harsher realities of life, but in looking around me with eyes wide open I will say with the early 20th century minister, William L. Watkinson, that “it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” And this, my friends, is all one important reason I can (and will) have a very merry Christmas, indeed … and, yes, I trust a happy New Year, too!

Wow what an article, Jonathan must say you have made your fellow brothers and all of us at Blogosphere so proud of you. Yes with positive and correct attitude everything turns out good and I too support your cause that there must not be any war but you know how politicians are and what they want to do with our world.
‘No, I won’t blind myself to the harsher realities of life, but in looking around me with eyes wide open I will say with the early 20th century minister, William L. Watkinson, that “it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” And this, my friends, is all one important reason I can (and will) have a very merry Christmas, indeed … and, yes, I trust a happy New Year, too!’ This awesome quote and what you wrote in your last para summed up your beautiful write up. Keep up the good season of Christmas and Merry Christmas to you in advance.

Understand you can’t keep up with everything, but I suppose the “war” to which you refer may really be a continuation of a culture war that has been ongoing in this country since, well, the sixties at least. Suggest you pick up a copy of Victor Davis Hanson’s latest book (due in february) “The Case for Trump.” Here’s a link to maybe a more liberal view of the “war” from a recent NY Times magazine. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/24/opinion/sunday/chicago-protests-1968-culture-war.html

Yes, I actually thought of that, and in my looking around the Internet I actually ran across two articles on a coming Civil War, one of which was published by the Huffington Post, certainly ardently liberal. The author predicted some sort of Civil War following Trump’s election. Interestingly enough, the other article was published in a fairly mainstream conservative magazine (though I can’t now remember which) just after Obama was inaugurated predicting a coming Civil War because of his election! At any rate, way back in the 60s, my father and quite a few others feared an impending Civil War due to all the unprecedented civil unrest and strife. I’ll check out the article you’ve linked me to, and be on the look out for “The Case for Trump.” Thank you and have a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

If looked back at history, since history seems to keep repeating itself, we stand before a turning-point again. I too believe, like you, every little sparkle can create an enormous fire. Let that be the fire of understanding of each others differences. Since our differences is our strength.
Merry Christmas dear friend! I am so grateful you are in a better ‘place’ this time.
Already looking forward to more of your poetry and other writings full of wisdom in 2019. With love, Patty

Wow, great post Jonathan! Inspiring my friend. In thinking about what you wrote in the opening, it reminded me of one of my favorite quotes by Tobias Smollet: “Some folks are wise….and some are otherwise.”

Well you, my friend, are wise and kind and your heart is always in the right place. I have enjoyed our conversation and so glad you’re back blogging regularly.

Well, we hear (mostly on Fox News that is) about “The war on Christmas,” but “bah, humbug,” that’s nonsense. Christmas has never been about all the outward stuff anyway, it’s always been about the spirit!…which I must say seems pretty lacking in many of those who profess it’s supposed importance in their lives.

Another civil war? Hmmm, one can’t help but ask, So how that first one turn out? We can only imagine some of these southern radicals getting their way in then suddenly realizing they’re not getting that social security check or medicare coverage or military pension checks, farm aid or subsidies, etc, etc, from that hated federal government. “Freeeeeeedoooom…….hey, wait, what’s the deal here…you mean the state of Mississippi isn’t paying for all this?” (I hear the state of Mississippi, in a Dicken’s like ghostly voice, “Nooo, fool—I mean my friend—we depend on large handouts from that dreaded Uncle Sam…https://wallethub.com/edu/states-most-least-dependent-on-the-federal-government/2700/ ) Talk about Mississippi Burning!

Anyway, we cannot let the radical voices win out and crowd out the far more reasonable and civic minded voices that this country was built on and will survive only if those voices are informed and show up at the polls to check radicalism and push back against the forces of hate.

Thanks, my fried, and thank you especially for the link! And, wow, am I reading it right? 13 to 14 of the least dependent states are ‘blue’ states, while the greater portion of the most dependent are ‘red’ states…. Also, most of the ‘Old Confederacy’ seems to rank in the top 25 most dependent states. Astonishing! And, of course, you’re right: Most of the radically anti-government, rebel flag-waving crowd have no idea the extent to which their respective states count on federal funding.

Well, this Christmas season has already been a good one for me, and I expect it will continue to be, on into the next year. I pray you and your family and close-of-heart have an absolutely wonderful holiday season (or, perhaps, I should say “holy-day” season, as we celebrate the birth of the One who ultimately who showed us what it truly means to give and love!)

Many Red States count heavily on federal dollars. But most Red State people don’t know that or care….until the money stops coming. I got news for them all the constant tax cuts at the federal level are slowly but surely going to rock their world when the next fiscal crisis comes. Republicans keep cutting taxes without paying for them in the budget and thus creating massive budget deficits (we’re borrowing more and more and more to make up for the lost revenue from the tax cuts) that eventually the bond market is going to turn on us…and dear God when that happens.

I’m so glad to hear the year was good for you my friend. God bless you and your family and thank you for the kind words and prayers. I pray for you and your family and wish you a very Merry Christmas!